If you’re heading to Tennessee and not planning to eat BBQ, you might want to rethink your trip.
This state doesn’t mess around when it comes to smoked meat, with pitmasters who’ve been perfecting their craft for decades (some even longer).
We’re talking juicy pulled pork, smoky ribs, crispy burnt ends, and sauces that range from sweet and sticky to tangy and bold.
Whether you’re road-tripping through the mountains or hanging out in the city, these 9 Tennessee BBQ spots are some of the best in the state and definitely worth the pit-stop.
1. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous, Memphis
Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is a legendary BBQ joint hiding in a downtown Memphis alley across from the Peabody Hotel.
This place has been smoking up dry-rub ribs since 1948, and they’re famous for their Greek-inspired seasoning and charcoal pit cooking.
Their basement dining room feels like a time warp with checkered tablecloths, old school memorabilia, and waiters who’ve been slinging ribs for decades.
The pork ribs are the star, but don’t skip the red beans and rice or the insanely good slaw that’s crunchy, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy.
2. Central BBQ – Midtown, Memphis
Just 10 minutes from Rendezvous, Central BBQ in Midtown delivers a different kind of magic, focusing on low-and-slow, fall-off-the-bone goodness.
It’s a super casual place with plenty of seating, bright murals, and a steady line of locals who know this place is the real deal.
You’ll smell the hickory smoke before you even step inside, and the pulled pork sandwiches here are piled high and dripping with delicious sauce.
If you’re feeling bold, go for the BBQ nachos loaded with pork, cheese, and sauce on top of a mountain of chips.
3. B.E. Scott’s BBQ, Lexington
If you’re cruising through Lexington, B.E. Scott’s BBQ is a no-frills roadside stop that’s been smoking whole hogs all the way back to 1962.
This place is tiny, but it’s worth the trip for their pulled pork sandwich drenched in smoky flavor and bright, tangy vinegar slaw.
There’s no fluff here.
Just honest, old-school West Tennessee BBQ made by folks who know exactly what they’re doing.
It feels like the kind of spot where everyone knows each other, and strangers become friends over a plate of barbecue.
4. Edley’s Bar-B-Que, Nashville
Next up is Edley’s Bar-B-Que in Nashville, where BBQ meets the best of Southern comfort food.
This spot in the 12 South neighborhood serves up tender brisket, smoked turkey, and their famous Tuck Special (a BBQ sandwich stacked with all things delicious).
You’ll also find mac and cheese and banana pudding, two sides that locals swear by.
It’s a must visit in Nashville, esepcially as it’s been awarded ‘Best BBQ in Nashville’ multiple times by readers of ‘The Nashville Scene’.
5. Peg Leg Porker BBQ, Nashville
Also in Nashville, Peg Leg Porker brings the flavour in a friendly, family-owned establishment.
Owned by pitmaster Carey Bringle (who really does have a peg leg), this spot specializes in Memphis-style dry-rub ribs, smoked low and slow over hickory.
The atmosphere is laid-back but lively, with a rooftop patio, cold beers, and BBQ so good it’s been served at the James Beard House.
So if you’re into bold flavors, try the Kool-Aid pickles or the smoked wings because they’re spicy, smoky, and totally addictive.
6. Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que, Chattanooga
Heading over to Chattanooga, Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of place, but you’ll definitely want to pull in.
It’s been family-run since 1984, and everything here is cooked over hickory wood, giving every cut that deep smoky flavor you just can’t fake.
Inside, things stay simple and cozy, with a busy counter up front, a bar with screens to watch your favorite sports, and the scent of hickory smoke hanging in the air.
Order the chopped pork plate with extra sauce, grab some baked beans and apple pie, and prepare for pure BBQ happiness.
7. Barrelhouse BBQ Smokehouse, Lynchburg
Now let’s roll into Lynchburg, where Barrelhouse BBQ Smokehouse sits just a 2-minute drive from the Jack Daniel’s Distillery.
This cozy spot is known for its ‘Grilled Cheese on Crack’ sandwich, stuffed with pulled pork and melty pepper jack, and it’s every bit as over-the-top as it sounds.
Step inside and you’ll see walls and ceilings plastered with dollar bills and signatures, each one leaving behind a message or memory.
Just don’t leave without trying the ribs, cooked low and slow until they fall right off the bone.
8. Bustin’ Butts BBQ/210 Produce, Sevierville
Located in Sevierville, Bustin’ Butts BBQ/210 Produce is one of those places you stumble upon and can’t help but crave later.
It’s part roadside produce stand, part BBQ joint, and all flavor, with locals swearing by the smoked brisket and pulled pork cooked in a wood smoker out back.
You can grab some peaches, a basket of tomatoes, and a BBQ sandwich all in one stop, which feels like peak Tennessee.
Come hungry, leave happy, and you’ll understand why this gem has such a loyal following.
9. Ridgewood Barbecue, Bluff City
Last but definitely not least, Ridgewood Barbecue in Bluff City is a true Tennessee classic, set in the mountains with a smoky story that began in the 1940s.
This spot is famous for its ultra-smoky pit-cooked ham and that one-of-a-kind sweet BBQ sauce that people literally buy by the bottle.
The dining room feels like an old-school diner, with wood-paneled walls, vintage booths, and servers who know the regulars by name.
And if you’re into beef, the BBQ beef sandwiches here are next-level, piled high with juicy cuts full of rich smoke flavor.
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